Con*nive" (?), v. i. [imp. & p.p. Connived (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Conniving.] [L. connivere to shut the eues, connive, fr. con- + (perh.) a word akin to nicere to beckon, nictare to wink.]
1.
To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink.
[Obs.]
The artist is to teach them how to nod judiciously, and to connive with either eye.
Spectator.
2.
To close the eyes upon a fault; to wink (at); to fail or forbear by intention to discover an act; to permit a proceeding, as if not aware of it; -- usually followed by at.
To connive at what it does not approve.
Jer. Taylor.
In many of these, the directors were heartily concurring; in most of them, they were encouraging, and sometimes commanding; in all they were conniving.
Burke.
The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to connive at the violation of this rule.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.
Con*nive", v. t.
To shut the eyes to; to overlook; to pretend not to see.
[R. & Obs.] "Divorces were not
connived only, but with eye open allowed."
Milton.
© Webster 1913.